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Shaking up Mexico!
Bombay Sisters - Carnatic vocalists
 
Bombay SistersThe Bombay Sisters recently toured Mexico and here are the notes they brought for KutcheriBuzz readers.

In October 2001, we received a wonderful invitation from the ICCR organization to perform a series of concerts throughout Mexico for two weeks. We were selected to represent India at the 29th Festival International Cervantino.

Our excitement at this opportunity was further magnified when we discovered that though Indian delegates had been attending this festival for the past three years, we were the first Carnatic Classical artists to be invited to perform. The possibility of introducing this wonderful art form to the music lovers in Mexico made us feel honoured in every way.

Accompanying us on this tour was Sri C. N. Chandrashekhar on the violin, and Sri. A. S. Ranganathan on the mridangam.

Bombay SistersWe performed at some of the prestigious venues in the various major cities of Mexico: Guzman, Guadalajara, Atotonilco, Campeche, Del Carmen, and Guanajuato, among others. This exciting whirlwind tour of 10 concerts ended with a grand finale at the capital of Mexico, the wonderful Mexico City.

The diversity of the various fine arts showcased at the festival was beyond comparison. Delegates from over 31 countries came to perform and provide an unparalleled look at global fine arts for all those who attended.

We had the honor of sharing festival billing with prestigious artists such as Miranda Keys, a famous soprano vocalist from Australia, Olga Kern, an international pianist from Russia, and Koh Gabriel Kameda, an enthralling violinist from Japan, to name a few.

Bombay SistersWhen we sang in universal ragams such as Mohanam, Shuddha Saveri, and Shankarabharanam, we could see that the common language of music binds all global cultures as one. The audience that we performed for were extremely appreciative of what we had to offer them. Many of them thanked us for introducing them to the world of Carnatic Music, and we felt elated at the enthusiasm with which they absorbed our art form.

Asidefrom the festival, we took full advantage of our free time to see the sights and sounds of Mexico.

In spite of the obvious language barrier, we found the people to be friendly and caring. Everywhere we went, the warmth with which we were received made us feel at home in this country of strangers. We even received basic lessons in a few Spanish words that helped us navigate our way through hotels and restaurants! Salsa Mexicana (a wonderfully spicy tomato salad), Jagour Natural (yoghurt), and Leche Kaliyente (Hot milk, a necessity for a singer's throat!) were the names of some delicacies that we learnt to use quite fluently!

Bombay SistersWe would be amiss if we did not mention our wonderful hosts, Sri. G. S. Iyer (the Indian Ambassador to Mexico) and his wife, Smt. Meena Iyer. Their hospitality and concern for our well-being was so absolute, we are sure that we have found a couple of life-long friends.

All in all, the trip to Mexico was an unforgettable one. We feel truly blessed to receive opportunities to be 'ambassadors' of Carnatic Music to the rest of the world.

 

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